This year, plan to enjoy the Nutcracker before you get swept away by the busy holidays. In a special limited performance schedule set for November 17 and 18 only,
Ventura County Ballet Company will present Tchaikovsky's beloved ballet, The Nutcracker, at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. A cast of 90 talented and culturally diverse student dancers from the Ballet Academy Ventura will perform alongside experienced dancers from Russia, Albania, Kazakhstan and the USA in this full-length, professional production. The exquisite performance is under the direction of the company's new artistic director Colleen O'Callaghan, former member of the American Ballet Theatre, New York, under Mikhail Baryshnikov and Lucia Chase.
The choreographer is Marina Fliagina, a former dancer with the Moscow State Theatre Kremlin Ballet. Ms Fliagina toured internationally with the Russian Imperial Ballet, Moscow Classical Ballet and the Moscow Festival Ballet.
Back by popular demand, following both matinee performances, there will be a Sugar Plum Cookie party. This free event provides an opportunity for children to meet Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, the Sugar Plum Fairy and other cast stars. Children can also pose with the cast under the Christmas tree for memorable holiday photos.
First performed in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1892,
The Nutcracker has become a holiday classic that lends a traditional, festive touch to the season. Since 1998 the Ventura County Ballet Company, under the direction of Co-Founder and Executive Director Kathleen Noblin, has presented the Nutcracker as a pre-professional and professional youth-based production. The two-hour performance features lavish sets and costumes, and beautiful choreography by seasoned dancers.
"We are thrilled to bring this professional production to the residents of Ventura County," said Kathleen Noblin, executive director. "It's affordable, the entire family can participate, and most importantly, it lets people know that ballet is a beautiful art form available to everyone," added Noblin.
Featuring one of Tchaikovsky's most brilliant scores, The Nutcracker is being presented by the Ventura County Ballet Company (VCBC) on Saturday, November 17 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, November 18 at 2 p.m. at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way.
The VCBC is a non-profit that provides invaluable cultural programs to families throughout Ventura County including: professional quality ballet productions, therapeutic
dance for Foster Care children in Ventura county; elementary educational outreach in Ventura and Oxnard Unified Elementary schools; free tickets to youth at-risk, seniors, the financially disadvantaged, as well as to local non-profit organizations serving these underprivileged audiences and VUSD Title 1 schools.
The Nutcracker
Presented by the Ventura County Ballet Company (VCBC)
Oxnard Performing Arts Center
800 Hobson Way, Oxnard, California
805-486-2424
Saturday, November 17 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, November 18 at 2 p.m.
Sugar Plum Cookie Party immediately follows both matinee performances
Tickets are $9 (Balcony), $15 upper (Mezzanine) $23 (Orchestra)
Discount Tickets are $10 children (10 and under) and $15 Seniors (65+)
Special Group Rates upon Request
For tickets or more information about the VCBC production of
The Nutcracker and the other Season 07-08 programs, call 805-653-2800 or email VCBCtickets @aol.com
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